Picnik is no more, but making banners in PicMonkey works much the same way. Ribbet is virtually the same as Picnik.
I had a request from Jennifer for a tutorial on making a banner using Picnik. Since Google has decided to close our beloved Picnik in April, many bloggers are creating banners using the collage tool and stockpiling them for the future. Good idea!
I will base this tutorial on the way in which I’ve created mine. If you, dear readers, have additional tips, please share them with us in the comments section. Sorry for the somewhat blurry photos – they are screenshots and this is as sharp as I could make them.
Then upload your next photo by clicking on Upload a Photo.
When you’ve come up with something that you like, go to the upper right hand corner and click Done. You will be taken back to the Edit. At this point you can click save and leave Picnik, or do as I did and add a frame to your collage.
Explore all the options. I used the Drop Shadowframe. If you click on Drop Shadow, you can control the color and depth of the shadow in the box that comes up at the left.
There’s my first Drop Shadow. I, however, like two Drop Shadow frames, so I’m going to click Drop Shadow one more time.
Then go back into Picnik, upload your collage and add text.
I’m playing with the font. (What else is new? I’m font-crazy.)
And here’s what I came up with. Now I’ll save it again. This time I’ll save it as PicnikCollage1.jpeg. Adding another character will save it as a new collage. Therefore, your original collage will remain intact on your desktop.
Some of you might want to add your text via another photo editor – Photoshop, Photoscape or something else. If that’s the case, you can ignore this last step and upload your collage/banner to the other editor and add your text there.
I went to Pixlr and added text – they have a lot more font options available:
I hope this is useful for you. Now is the time, if there ever was one, to make a lot of banners for the future.
I still can’t believe Picnik is closing. I’m in mourning.
Plushpussycat says
Hi Claudia! Wow! This is an awesome tutorial that I can follow! Thank you so much!!! I created a new banner a couple of weeks ago, but the colors didn’t come out as sharp as I would have liked, and the images are a little blurry–all because I just did a make-shift, fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants version. Now that I know about the real tools within Picnik for making banners, I’m sure it will come out much better. Thank you again–it really means a lot! :-) BTW, I’m mourning over the loss of Picnik too! :-( Jennifer
NanaDiana says
I have never had any idea how to do this. This is something I am going to try…say a prayer that I don’t screw everything up permanently!;>) Thank you so much! xo Diana
Nola says
I’ve never made a collage, but I love the look of them. If I ever DO begin another blog (a possibility after we get moved), I’ll definitely want one. Do you know of anywhere else that I can make one (for free I hope)?
Have a great weekend. Not to rub it in (well maybe a little bit) it’s warm and sunny here today!
Connie says
You did that very well—the instructions AND your banner. It looks “balanced”, sugar, and that’s important! It also suits you to a T.
xoxo,
Connie
BEACH BUNGALOW says
I can’t believe it either!
So stupid.
S
xo
Beth Leintz says
Wow- I thought I knew Picnik pretty well, but I didn’t know you could do THAT.
Making banners and stockpiling them is a good idea.
I did a little digging and found that SOME of the features of Picnik will still be available through Google Albums “creative kit”- so all is not lost- but I WANT MY ORIGINAL PICNIK.
Julie says
Oh Claudia – thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!
I’ve been wanting to do this and wasn’t sure where to start. You are a total star!
Jillian's Bella Rosa Antiques says
Hi Claudia, thanks so much for this post…I would love to make a few banners before they close it. I am usually too busy to spend time working on graphics for my blog but this may motivate me now.
Love it!
Tracie~MyPetiteMaison says
Thank you, Claudia! I’m going to try this some time this weekend. I quickly looked at your directions, and I believe I can follow them as you make it sound easy AND fun. I love the shadow one of you and your pooch!!
xoxo
delightfuleclecticabode.com says
Claudia, I’m sad that they are closing too. By the time I discovered this program and made a decision to purchase the premium option, they announced they were closing. I did a whole posting about it last month. I’m one of those that is stockpiling images and banners for later use. Photoshop is just too complicated for me but I may be forced to finally use it.
This is a great tutorial for those who have never used it. By the way, I love the little birds that you have at the end of this posting.
~Sandy
~Sandy
Elaine @ Sunny Simple Life says
You are such a sweetie helping all us novice bloggers.
The Garden Bell - Kate says
Stockpiling. What a great idea. Thanks for the tip. Hope you can relax and enjoy the weekend too. We got out for a cold walk today, at least the sun was out.
Kim@Snug Harbor says
Thank you SO much for this! Changed my banner today and you couldn’t have made it easier!
LizlovesVintage says
Me too my Friend!! Me too. I made my banner on picnik also. Great tutorial you gave here for those who want to try.
I was thinking about you today! The Saugerties HS. had an indoor Flea. One vendor sold Hull and MCoy pottery. What a Beautiful collection he was selling.
xxx Liz
camp and cottage living says
Claudia
This is great! I’ve been hoping someone would do a tutorial on this
I can’t wait to try it!
Thanks-Kimberly
blhitchcock901 says
I’m so glad you posted this. I’ve done and saved, but how do I get this to transfer to my blog. Need step by steps there. Thanks so much for your help. At least I’ve made a start. You are great help!
ImSoVintage says
I made my banner in Picnik. I love it. Now I think I will take your idea of making more and stockpiling them for the future.
Laura
debi huntsman says
Great tutorial Claudia!
I’m a picnik user too, and broken hearted that they are closing down. I recently discovered a new online photo editing program called ipiccy.com. It’s a beta program, which means it’s still in the testing stage, but it’s so close to picnik, I couldn’t believe it.
Bunny Jean says
Hi Claudia!
We will all miss Picnik… darn that Google!
I usually don’t care for the drop shadow effect, but it is great how you used it… after making the collage. It makes a great frame, and two or three really gives it some impact.
Thanks for taking the time to share this technique with us.
xoxo Bunny Jean
Dagmar says
Hi Claudia,
Love you tutorial..I have been using picnik for years to make my banners and just found that the new download of 3.9 for Picasa is pretty good..now has a place to add frames..I read your readers comments and always helpful to learn that Ll might not be lost with picnik!
BTW..I do love your header! ❤
Plushpussycat says
Hi Claudia! Thank you again for this beautiful tutorial! I just used it to massively improve the banner I’d made without knowing how to do it! ;-) This one is sharp and clear–I love it! Now I’m going to make a bunch of other ones for safekeeping! :-D Jennifer